Barnes & Noble

This well-made and surprisingly satisfying biblical epic boasts impressive production values, an impressive cast, and -- refreshingly -- eschews the campy excesses of old-fashioned Cecil B. De Mille-styled corn-fests. Based on the historical novel Hadassah, rather than the familiar Old Testament tale, One Night with the King depicts the rise of an orphaned Jewish peasant girl to the throne of Persia. Hadassah (newcomer Tiffany Dupont, a real find) is adopted by her uncle Mordecai (John Rhys-Davies), a dutiful servant of King Xerxes (Luke Goss) in the capital city of Susa. When the angry Xerxes banishes his prideful wife, his minions scour the land in search of a woman worthy of being the new queen. Mordecai suggests Hadassah change her name to Esther and keep her Jewish heritage a secret if she is chosen. Hagai (Tommy “Tiny” Lister), the king’s chief eunuch, befriends the young woman and helps her attain the throne just in time to foil a conspiracy involving ambitious Prince Admantha (John Noble) and duplicitous, anti-Semitic Hamen (James Callis). Complications abound, and the plot gyrates madly before coming to its preordained conclusion. Though prominently billed, Omar Sharif and Peter O’Toole have relatively minor roles -- especially the latter -- and some precariously ripe dialogue nearly undoes other cast members. But Ms. Dumont is both graceful and charming, playing her role with conviction. Complete with opulent sets and costumes, and exotic locales, this period drama will appeal to any viewer with a fondness for biblical spectaculars. Ed Hulse

All Movie Guide

When a beautiful young slave girl learns that her people are about to fall victim to a horrible act of genocide, she will be forced to choose between realizing her wildest dreams or stepping into the pages of history to embrace her destiny in an epic tale of one young girl who rises from peasant to princess to claim the heart of a king. Esther was born an exquisite beauty, but her people have been enslaved by the most powerful kingdom on the planet and her parents executed before she ever had a chance to truly know them. Subsequently taken in by her kindly uncle, a royal scribe, Esther is soon spirited away to the royal palace to take her place in the king's harem. Trouble is stirring in this ancient land, however, and when the queen, Vashti, is banished by the unknowing king, palace princes scramble for a position of power the desperate king determined to live up to, and ultimately avenge the battles waged by his father long ago. Now, as the wheels of destruction are slowly set into motion, a malevolent prime minister who has fallen into favor with the king soon begins to wield a frightening amount of power by calling for the death of Esther's people. With time running out for her entire race, Esther must face her fears and be willing to lay down her life if she is to ever fully realize the plan that God has laid out for her. Jason Buchanan

Product Details

• UPC: 024543408260
• Source: 20TH CENTURY FOX
• Region Code: 1
• Presentation: Wide Screen
• Sound: Dolby AC-3 Surround Sound
• Editions: Dubbed
• Time: 2:04:00
• Sales Rank: 1,160

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